Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 70: Icebound Blades

Opelucid City had become a world of ice.

The street outside Drayden's home glittered in white-blue silence, but there was nothing beautiful about it. Frozen buildings trapped light like glass cages, and every breath hurt going in. The Plasma Frigate still hovered above the city, its shadow cutting through the cold sky.

Iris clenched both fists beside Haxorus. "Gah! Why does it have to be ice?"

Her voice shook with anger more than fear. I understood that. Ice had turned the city into something helpless-looking, and Iris hated helplessness when people and Pokémon were trapped inside it.

Drayden strode toward the nearest wall of ice with his Haxorus beside him. "The world of ice... Haxorus, use Dragon Tail!"

Haxorus struck the frozen street with a blow that should have shattered stone. The impact boomed across Opelucid, but when the dust and frost cleared, the ice remained untouched.

Drayden stared at the surface. "Not only did the ice stay unbroken, there is not even a scratch on it."

Pikachu's fur sparked against my shoulder. His meaning came sharp and worried. "Cold wall does not listen. Not normal ice."

"I do not think that is going to work," a familiar voice said.

Zinzolin stepped from behind a frozen corner with several Team Plasma grunts following him. His breath fogged in front of his face, and he smiled like the cold was hurting him in a way he enjoyed.

Alice went rigid beside me. "Not you again."

Eve's eyes turned dangerous. "You chose a frozen city for another speech?"

Drayden's gaze hardened. "I remember you from N's Castle."

Zinzolin shivered and spread his arms. "It is bitter cold. I am shivering. I am suffering, but I am alive. It is what the essence of life feels like. It is proof of my existence."

Hugh would have punched him for that if he had been standing there.

Zinzolin sighed theatrically. "But that is enough philosophy. Here are the facts for your admiration. This ice was specially created by Team Plasma's technology. As long as we have our secret weapon, you will never melt or break it."

"Then people are in danger," Sakura said. "We have to save them first."

Drandon and Lucine moved with her immediately, and Sakura pointed toward the academy district. "Students may be trapped near the greenhouse and classrooms. Come with me."

Luke looked from the frozen streets to Zinzolin. "So why are you here?"

Zinzolin's smile returned. "Let me explain our purpose. Drayden, hand over the DNA Splicers. Opelucid City is where past and future entwine. Could there be a more perfect place for the splicers that connect the separated Pokémon?"

Drayden's voice dropped. "Do you think someone who knows what you did two years ago will hand them over quietly?"

"Humph. That is what I thought you would say," Zinzolin said. "At this point, I would like to threaten you with another volley of ice, but we cannot use it for a moment. We will simply search for them."

Team Plasma grunts began spreading through the frozen streets.

Drayden clenched his fists. "Those foul villains. We are going to drive Team Plasma out of Opelucid City."

Golly's voice cut through the panic. "Teams split by purpose. Rescue, defense, pursuit, and splicer security. No wandering."

I nodded quickly. "Alice and I will go toward the Gym. If Zinzolin wants the DNA Splicers, he will check there."